L.A. Controller Ron Galperin, helping Los Angelenos Prepare for the Next Emergency

L.A. Controller Ron Galperin, helping Los Angelenos Prepare for the Next Emergency

To promote local emergency planning during National Preparedness Month, L.A. Controller Ron Galperin released a new online resource map of emergency services and programs funded by the City of Los Angeles to help families and communities prepare for unexpected natural disasters. “Get Ready L.A.” gives a rundown of the City’s emergency prep resources and maps the locations of L.A.’s fire stations, police stations and other important civic buildings that Angelenos can access before and after a disaster.

Also featured in Galperin’s resource map are the emergency preparedness functions of the City’s Emergency Management Department. The department coordinates the City’s Emergency Operations Center, emergency plans and outreach, and all training and exercises for disaster response teams. EMD is also in charge of emergency prep tools like NotifyLA, ShakeAlertLA and Ready Your LA Neighborhood.

“Earthquakes, fires, floods and other major disasters are an unfortunate reality in a large metropolis like Los Angeles, but the City provides many resources to help Angelenos be prepared,” said Galperin. “My ‘Get Ready L.A.’ map gathers the City’s emergency preparedness information in one easily accessible location, showcasing the important role departments play in making sure our communities know what to do and where to turn when disaster strikes.”

Explore Get Ready L.A. resource map

Bringing City Job Recruitment into the 21st Century

The City of Los Angeles employs 50,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than four million Angelenos, making hiring and keeping the best and brightest workers a difficult task. In 2018, Controller Galperin released an audit that identified the recruitment, retention and promotion challenges faced by the City’s Personnel Department, and proposed several solutions to address L.A.’s complex and lengthy hiring process. Earlier this month, the City Council approved the Personnel and Animal Welfare Committee’s report, which incorporated important recommendations from Galperin’s report, including updating the department’s name to the City’s “Human Resources Department.”

“The ability to serve residents, businesses and visitors depends first and foremost on attracting and retaining the very best people to work for the City of Los Angeles,” said Galperin. “I am pleased City policymakers supported our ideas for modernizing L.A.’s outdated recruitment and hiring process.”

Read Galperin’s recruitment and hiring report

What’s Driving Parking Tickets in L.A.?

Parking tickets are a complex and often very controversial matter, especially in Los Angeles where available parking spots can be hard to come by in certain neighborhoods. While no one likes getting them, parking tickets can serve important public purposes, like keeping spots available in front of businesses and ensuring that first responders have clear access to fire lanes and hydrants if emergencies happen. Crosstown recently published a story on the topic that included data from Controller Galperin’s 2017 online report about the City of L.A.’s parking ticket program.

“My office took a detailed look at this issue a few years ago and we found that the cost to the City of issuing parking tickets eats up about three-quarters of the revenue those tickets generate,” said Galperin. “What’s left over helps pay for community services, like street improvements and public safety.”

View Galperin’s parking ticket webisite

Pushing for Transparency at the DWP

For years, Controller Galperin has taken a microscope to the Department of Water and Power’s operations, including dozens of open and ongoing investigations into the public utility. With the goal of increasing public trust, the Mayor recently announced the creation of an internal Office of Inspector General at the DWP. The Inspector General will be part of the DWP’s senior leadership team and will be charged with the oversight of several of the utility’s ethics and compliance matters.

“My office has thoroughly reviewed the DWP, and audited its training institutes, payroll, health and pension benefits, and multiple bank accounts,” said Galperin. “I look forward to working with the Mayor to ensure that the Office of Inspector General increases transparency and accountability at the DWP.”

Welcoming New Bundles of Joy

Controller Galperin and his husband, Rabbi Zachary Shapiro, recently welcomed two new members to their family! Twins Maya Ruth and Eli Noah Shapiro-Galperin were born on Sept. 4, 2019 — the same day the City of Los Angeles celebrated its 238th birthday.

“We’re so excited about our growing family and are so overwhelmed with happiness and joy,” said Galperin. “We are even more thrilled that our twins will forever share a birthday with the city we live in and love!”

Congratulate the proud parents here

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